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Abdourahamane TchianiChairman of the National Council for the Protection of the Homeland since July 26, 2023
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Niger |
Content:
- General Mahamane Tchiani: A Prominent Military Figure in Niger
- Presidency of Mohamed Bazoum
- Coup d'état and Assumption of Power
General Mahamane Tchiani: A Prominent Military Figure in Niger
Early Life and CareerGeneral Mahamane Tchiani, also known as Mahamane Chiani, Omar Chiani, or Omar Tchiani, was born in 1960, with the exact date unknown. According to the Agence Press Africaine (APA), he hails from the Tillaberi region in western Niger, a primary recruitment area for the national army.
In 2015, Tchiani was appointed as commander of the Presidential Guard. During this time, he aligned himself with President Mahamadou Issoufou, who promoted him to general in 2018. In 2021, Tchiani played a crucial role in suppressing a coup attempt by military personnel seeking to seize the presidential palace.
Presidency of Mohamed Bazoum
Following Issoufou's departure in 2021, President Mohamed Bazoum retained Tchiani in his position as commander of the Presidential Guard.
Coup d'état and Assumption of Power
On July 26, 2023, Tchiani led the presidential security when Bazoum was detained at the presidential palace during a coup d'état. While he made no public appearances during the events, analysts speculated that he was the driving force behind the overthrow. Bazoum was reportedly planning to remove Tchiani from his position.
On July 28, via a televised address to the nation, Tchiani proclaimed himself President of the National Council for the Restoration of Homeland (CNRD). He justified the coup as necessary to prevent the country's "gradual and inevitable collapse" and claimed that Bazoum had sought to conceal the severity of the situation. Tchiani criticized the government's security strategy for its ineffectiveness but did not specify a timeline for a return to civilian rule.
